Safety seal cutter

ABSTRACT

A device for removing the seals off of containers. A cutting mechanism having a plurality of consecutive rings, each of the rings having a blade for slicing a seal; and a handle affixed to the cutting mechanism.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit to Provisional Application No. 60/599,848, filed on Aug. 6, 2004, entitled “Safety Seal Cutter,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the area of plastic seal cutters. In particular, the present invention is directed to a novel device and mechanism for cutting the seal of a can or cylindrical container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern cylinder cans and food containers frequently have membrane-like freshness seals, which must be cut or removed. Some containers have pull tabs for these seals which are often difficult to pull, or require the use or help of knives. Using a knife may result in product spillage or may cut the user's hand. There have been many devices for opening packaging containers.

U.S. Patent Application No. 20040035883 discloses an opening device for packaging containers that comprises at least one base element, which is placed on an opening of the container and which, in particular, completely surrounds the edge area of the opening on the outside and/or inside of the container. The opening device also comprises a covering element, which can be placed on the base element in order to cover the opening of the container. The covering element has joining means for joining the covering element to the base element once the base element has been placed on the container, and has functional means for performing a predetermined function. The covering element advantageously comprises snap, detent, clamping, hinged or screw joining means for joining to the base element and, as a functional means, can comprise, for example, a closure part for reclosing the opening, a protective part for protecting the base element or a safety seal, which is irreversibly changed the first time the packaging container is opened.

U.S. Patent Application No. 20030150297 discloses a multifunctional container opener for opening a plurality of different containers, including a body that supports a template defining one or more pockets and a pill splitting tool and one or more compartments or pockets for capturing pieces of the split pill or tablet. The body may also support a variety of tools adapted for opening a container or accessing a container's contents. Such tools include tools for piercing, scoring, cutting or prying portions of the actual container or safety seals associated with the container. The body also supports a gripping device for frictionally engaging the cap or top of a container.

The prior art has not adequately addressed the problem of removing seals. None use a device having a plurality of concentric cutting members which accommodate a variety of different shaped cans and containers.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system in which product seals can be easily removed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mechanism which can simultaneously cut the seals of many different cans.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device for removing the seals from containers having a cutting mechanism having at least one ring, the ring having a blade for slicing a seal; and a handle affixed to the cutting mechanism.

A device for shearing the seal off a plurality of containers having different diameters, a cutting mechanism comprising a plurality of concentric rings, each ring having a blade therein, each of the rings being configured to cut the seals of cans having different diameters; and a handle to hold and support the cutting mechanism.

A device for shearing the seal off a plurality of containers having different diameters; a cutting mechanism comprising a plurality of concentric rings, each ring having an axially extending blade therein, each of the rings and blades being configured to cut the seals of cans having different diameters; and a handle to hold and support the cutting mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an overhead view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a further embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is described with reference to the enclosed figures wherein the same numbers are used where applicable. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention is directed to a device for cutting the seals of the type used on food items ranging from milk and juice containers to larger items including cans for canned nuts, dried fruits and coffee. The device may be constructed from a wide variety of materials including plastics, metal or wood.

As shown, the present invention comprises an implement 10 having a series of concentric rings 12. The rings are held in place by a series of axially extending supports 15. Each ring 12 has an associated blade 14 which extends co-axially from the ring 12. The blades 14 are designed to cut or remove a circular-shaped freshness seal of a can. Each concentric ring accommodates a different diameter of can.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the blade 14 may comprise a full ring, a semi-ring or a portion of a ring. The rings 12 are designed to accommodate cans and containers having varying diameters. One ring will work with a large coffee can with smaller rings designed to work with smaller cans and the like.

In use, the user opens a can which contains a freshness seal. The user then centers and places the implement 10 over the seal. The widest concentric ring and blade associated with the implement is pushed down and rotated. The blade 14 cuts the seal.

The present invention has been described with reference to the enclosed preferred embodiment. The true nature and scope of the present invention is to be determined with reference to the attached claims. 

1. A device for removing the seals off of containers. a cutting mechanism having at least one ring, the rings having a blade for slicing a seal; and a handle affixed to the cutting mechanism.
 2. A device for shearing the seal off a plurality of containers having different diameters. a cutting mechanism comprising a plurality of concentric rings, each ring having a blade therein, each of the rings and blade being configured to cut the seals of a can having different diameters; and a handle to hold and support the cutting mechanism.
 3. A device for shearing the seal off a plurality of containers having different diameters. a cutting mechanism comprising a plurality of concentric rings, each ring having an axially extending blade therein, each of the rings and blades being configured to cut the seals of cans having a different diameter; and a handle to hold and support the cutting mechanism.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein the blade is circular.
 5. The device of claim 3 wherein the blade is semi-circular. 